The Art of Effortless Awareness

A Mindfulness & Natural Awareness Retreat with Alexis Santos

7 Days:

04.10. - 11.10.2026

Awareness goes Greece: Alexis is bringing his refreshing, uncrafted approach to the Mediterranean for an exclusive, 7-day retreat at Peli Kastri in Greece.

1 Week Awareness with Alexis Santos

Meditation is often taught as an act of intense discipline—a militaristic effort to silence the mind. But for those navigating high-intensity modern lives, over-efforting simply replicates systemic stress on the meditation cushion.

This October, join internationally renowned meditation teacher Alexis Santos at Peli Kastri for an intimate immersion into Natural Awareness. Grounded in the practical teachings of the Burmese master Sayadaw U Tejaniya and popularized through Alexis’s work on the Ten Percent Happier platform, this retreat invites you to unlearn the struggle of meditation.

Instead of forcing your mind to be quiet, you will learn to recognize the clear awareness that is already present. Set against the silent backdrop of Southern Pelion, where ancient olive groves meet the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, this is an invitation to transition from “trying to meditate” to simply being awake.

Unlearning the Struggle
The style of mindfulness Alexis teaches isn’t about escaping your life or forcing your brain into a state of artificial calm. It’s based on a concept called Natural Awareness—a lineage passed down by his core teacher, the renowned Burmese master Sayadaw U Tejaniya.

Instead of treating the mind like a wild animal that needs to be disciplined, Natural Awareness asks you to step back and simply notice what is already happening. If your mind is busy, you notice a busy mind. If your body is tense, you notice the tension.

By removing the judgment and the intense strain, something extraordinary happens: the mind naturally relaxes on its own. The practice ceases to be a chore and becomes a refuge.

Course language
English

Good to know

Capacity Limit for effortless awareness: To maintain an intimate, high-quality container for practice, this retreat is strictly capped at a maximum of 40 participants

From 26.09. – 03.10 there is a women only week organized by “Xanthippe Gang”. More info: HERE
If you want to stay longer and take your time, just tell us when you book.

Registration & Info

Requests via our enquiry button or info@pelikastri.com
If you have any further questions about the retreat an method please contact Alexis:

The small print

Registration, Cancellation, and Travel Responsibility

Minimum Attendance Requirement: The realization of this retreat depends on reaching a sustainable minimum number of participants. If the required minimum occupancy is not met by September 1, 2026, the retreat may be canceled or postponed. In this event, Peli Kastri will notify all registered participants immediately.
Limitation of Travel Liability: Peli Kastri and its organizing partners (including U&W GmbH) act solely as the event hosts and accommodation venue. We are not liable for any personal travel expenses incurred by participants in preparation for or as a result of a canceled or rescheduled retreat. This includes, but is not limited to, airline tickets, train or ferry fares, car rentals, or independent hotel bookings.
Mandatory Travel Insurance Recommendation: Because unforeseen events can disrupt travel plans, we strongly urge every participant to purchase comprehensive travel cancellation and interruption insurance at the time of booking. Ensure your policy covers trip cancellations due to organizer cancellation, medical emergencies, and travel delays to protect your flight and transit investments.

The Art of Effortless Awareness

A Mindfulness & Natural Awareness Retreat with Alexis Santos

7 days

Alexis Santos

A bit about Alexis:

Alexis Santos
Alexis Santos stands out in the modern mindfulness landscape as a teacher who completely reimagines how we interact with our own minds. He cuts through the stiff, militaristic archetypes of meditation, offering an approach that is deeply intuitive, practical, and tailored for the complex modern intellect.

Alexis’s background bridges Western achievement with deep Eastern contemplative training:

After graduating from Harvard University in 1995, Alexis spent several years in medical school. Sensing a need for a radically different path, he chose to leave his medical career behind to travel and look inward.

His search led him to India and eventually Burma (Myanmar), where he met his primary teacher, the renowned meditation master Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Alexis ordained as a Buddhist monk from 2003 to 2005, immersing himself in a lineage that prioritizes wisdom and the mind’s attitude over rigid physical postures.

After returning to lay life, he spent four years completing the rigorous teacher-training program at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) and Spirit Rock, mentored by foundational Western Dhamma figures like Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein. He has been teaching internationally since 2012.

The Method: Relax and Be Aware

Alexis’s teaching style is natural, uncrafted, and highly pragmatic. Having walked the path from Harvard graduate and medical student to an ordained Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition, Alexis understands the modern, intellectual mind.

His approach cuts through esoteric dogma. It is an experiential exploration of open, wisdom-based mindfulness:

More about Alexis and his teachings: HERE

The Art of Effortless Awareness

A Mindfulness & Natural Awareness Retreat with Alexis Santos

7 days

Alexis Santos

Peli Kastri Guesthouse:
Stay right on the retreat grounds.

IMPORTANT: FOR BOOKINGS PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL TO INFO@PELIKASTRI.COM as booking via our website will be disabled for this week in order to host exclusively patricipants of Alexis’s retreat.

Our Guesthouse is located about 100 meters from the beach and borders directly on our olive grove at the rear. There are many spots right outside the guesthouse where you can relax, read, unwind, or even snack on a grapefruit straight from the tree, depending on the season.

We have lovingly renovated the old house and offer:
8 double rooms, most with balconies, two of which can be upgraded to accommodate 3 guests with an extra bed. Each room has a direct or indirect sea view, as well as a kettle and a mini fridge. Guesthouse

Our rooms are beautifully furnished and serve as both a peaceful retreat and an ideal place to make dreams come true. Greek cotton, handmade details, and hand-picked furnishings with a view of the bay help you to completely surrender to well-being and relaxation. Just be.

On the ground floor, there is a lounge area for guests to use freely, as well as a spacious private terrace with stylish Greek accents that create a special atmosphere and invite you to enjoy breakfast or relax in the evening. Part of the Guesthouse is a section of the beach with comfortable beachbeds and loungers. Beach

Accomotadtion:
For Alexis’ retreat we offer 3 categories:

To keep the retreat accessible while supporting the Dāna model for Alexis, we’ve set up three tiers (all inclusive of full board):

Tier	Accommodation Type	Rate (per person/8 nights)	Optional Sponsorship Rate*
Solo	Private Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)	€1,480	€1,600
Shared	Double Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)	€1,104	€1,200
Community	Shared Apartments with 2-5 beds (2/7 min walk from venue)	€984	—

*The sponsorship option allows participants to contribute toward a scholarship fund for those with fewer resources.

For booking please send us an email to info@pelikastri.com “alexis” as booking via our website is Please contact us via €info@pelikastri.com if you have any special requests.

The Art of Effortless Awareness

A Mindfulness & Natural Awareness Retreat with Alexis Santos

7 days

Alexis Santos

RATES ROOMS:

To keep the retreat accessible while supporting the Dāna model, we’ve set up three tiers (all inclusive of full board):

Tier	Accommodation Type	Rate (per person/8 nights 04.10 – 12. 10.)****	Optional Sponsorship Rate*
Solo	Private Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)**	€1,480	€1,600
Shared	Double Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)**	€1,104	€1,200
Community	Shared appartments with 2-5 beds at neighbouring houses that are approx. 2mins and 7mins from the venue at Peli Kastri Guesthouse & Retreat.***	€984	—

*The sponsorship option allows participants to contribute toward a scholarship fund for those with fewer resources.
** Peli Kastri Guesthouse is a small Guesthouse with 8 rooms in total. We follow a “first come, first serve” policy.
***If you stay at a “community” house, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the taverna at Peli Kastri Guesthouse & Retreat
**** Extra nights accommodation is arranged and billed separately upon request.

Journey & Arrival Logistics

We aim to make the transit into our remote corner of Pelion as mindful and stress-free as possible.

1 – Choose Your Arrival Window

October 3 or October 4

The official retreat program opens on the evening of October 4th. However, to settle in early and decompress, you are welcome to arrive on October 3rd. Extra night accommodation is arranged and billed separately upon request.

2 – Select Your Transport Mode

Group Bus or Independent Travel

Arrival via Thessaloniki Airport (SKG):

The SKG Group Bus: Departs from Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) on October 4th at 14:30, arriving at Kastri Beach around 19:00.
(€40–60 per person, each way depending on how many guests. The group bus will just go if there are at least 6 people using it!). Planned return on the 12th at 07.00 from Peli Kastri in order to reach flights at noon from SKG.

Independent Travel: We highly recommend renting a car at the airport to enjoy the coastal scenery at your own pace also at this time of year they are rather cheap. Carpooling coordination is available, please let us know if you are willing to share your rental.

Arrival via Skiathos (JSI):

If you arrive via Skiathos airport, please tell us so. It is a short trip from Skiathos to Peli Kastri (approx 45min if the waves and the weather are with us). We gladly help with the organisation of Shuttles & Transfers. Details upon request.

Arrival via Volos (VOL):

Private shuttles from Volos (VOL) can be coordinated on request. Rental cars are available at the airport or in the city. Driving time approx. 1 hour.

Arrival via Athens (ATH):

Although Athens is not far away there is no shortcut to get to Peli Kastri. You’d have to drive via Volos.
Best to either look for a connecting flight to Skiathos (JSI) or take a rental car. The drive is around 5+ hours.

If we can be of any help, please let us know. You can reach us via info@pelikastri.com

The Art of Effortless Awareness